Pharmaceris S Spectrum Protect Broad Spectrum Sun Protection Cream SPF50+
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong evidence
“It minimises adverse reactions to sun exposure such as irritation, sunburns, redness, discolourations, sun rash, hyperpigmentation and allergic reactions.”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Butyrospermum parkii butterStrong evidence
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Chondrus crispus + 11 moreGood evidence
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy20 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~5.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolPropylene glycol~4–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDibutyl adipate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateC12-15 alkyl benzoate~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateGlycerin~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPhenoxyethyl caprylate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium cetyl phosphate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCetyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholOctocrylene~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Octocrylene1,2-hexanediol~0.6–0.9%
Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.8–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineButyrospermum parkii butter~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterEthylhexyl triazone~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneVp/hexadecene copolymer~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates a nice product texture and can support water-resistance of sunscreens
More about Vp/hexadecene copolymerAcrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Decyl glucoside~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideGlyceryl stearate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateCanola oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Canola oilAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerTriethanolamine~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineChondrus crispus~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispusCarrageenan~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
More about CarrageenanTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateArginine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineAllantoin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCoco-glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideLonicera caprifolium flower extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera caprifolium flower extractXanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBha~0.1–0.2%
Lonicera japonica flower extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera japonica flower extractDisodium lauryl sulfosuccinate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinateLaminaria ochroleuca extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Laminaria ochroleuca extractIngredient list view
Water, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Propylene glycol, Dibutyl adipate, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethyl caprylate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cetyl alcohol, Octocrylene, 1,2-hexanediol, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Ethylhexyl triazone, Vp/hexadecene copolymer, Acrylates/c12-22 alkyl methacrylate copolymer, Decyl glucoside, Glyceryl stearate, Unknown, Canola oil, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Chondrus crispus, Carrageenan, Tocopheryl acetate, Arginine, Allantoin, Coco-glucoside, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Xanthan gum, Bha, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, Laminaria ochroleuca extract
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Product summary
We assess that "Pharmaceris - S Spectrum Protect Broad Spectrum Sun Protection Cream SPF50+" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 0.80% - 1.15%, uvinul a plus 3.10% - 3.80%, uvinul t 0.70% - 1.00%, tinosorb m 5.10% - 6.20% and octocrylene 1.20% - 1.50%.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 8.66£ up to 13.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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